Teams Rally for Cancer Society Relay for Life

Media release: 11 November 2009

Teams are being asked to start fundraising for next year’s Relay For Life which is being hosted by the Cancer Society in Christchurch next year.

Relay For Life runs for 24 hours. Teams camp on-site and take turns to run or walk the relay as a way of honouring the lives of people touched by cancer.

“Relay For Life represents the hope that those who have lost their lives to cancer will not be forgotten and that those who face cancer will be supported,”says Jane Sherriff.

Relay For Life is being held at Canterbury Park (the A and P Showgrounds) from 12 noon on Saturday 7 March until 12 noon on Sunday 8 March.

“We encourage everyone to put together a team to take part in this exciting overnight relay – whether they are a family group, sports team, business or community group – everyone is welcome,” says Jane Sherriff, from the Canterbury/West Coast Division of the Cancer Society.

A highlight of Relay For Life is the survivors’ lap of honour where cancer survivors walk around the track. A candlelight service is held on Saturday night to remember those people who are no longer with us.

Fitness is not an issue as most of the participants walk round the track as the relay is a non-competitive event with people of all ages taking part, says Jane.

“Each team carries a baton around the track and there are no rules about whether team members walk or run, how often or for how long.”

More than 90 teams participated in Christchurch’s first Relay For Life in 2008 and raised $160,000 for the Cancer Society. This year’s relay attracted 51 teams and raised $110,000. Teams were from throughout Canterbury including Kaikoura in the north to Methven and Ashburton.

Relay For Life started in America in 1985 and, since then, has developed into the world’s biggest fundraising event.

Funds raised go to the Cancer Society to provide support and assistance to people throughout Canterbury and the West Coast, including a cancer information freephone (0800 CANCER – 0800 226 237), transport assistance, accommodation assistance for out of town patients, welfare grants and patient support groups.

The Cancer Society also funds cancer research and health promotion programmes.

For more information and to register your team visit http://www.relayforlife.org.nz.

ENDS

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